Improvement in boots and shoes



J. L. JOYCE. Boot and Shoe.

`No. 223,143. Patented Dec. 30', |879.

N PEFERS. PHGTOMTHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIOE,

JOSEPH L. JOYCE, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,143, dated December 30, 1879; application tiled November 7, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. J OYOE, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Boots and Shoes, and I dro hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters Of reference marked thereon, to bea full, clear, and exact description of the same, which said drawings constitute part ot" this specification, and represent, in

Figure l, side view; Fig. 2, transverse sec tion ofthe inside edge through one of the hooks enlarged; Fig. 3, plan of the inside edge, showing the hooks and stays.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class Oi' boots and shoes which are laced or buttoned.

In the usual construction, in some cases a tongue is introduced to underlie the overlapping or meeting parts. In some cases a goreshaped piece is introduced, stitched to each side, or to one side only, in place of the tongue; in others, and perhaps the more general, the inside portion is extended so that the outer portion overlaps it sufficiently to covcror protect the joint. In either case this inside part unavoidably wrinkles, to the great discomfort of the wearer-a very serious Objection to this otherwise desirable class ot' shoes.

The object of this invention is to overcome this difficulty and insure the underlying part to retain its place smoothly upon the foot 5 and it consists in theintroduction of a stay running from each button or hook toward the edge, as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, the shoe shown is one that is laced by means of hooks attached alternately to opposite edges. On that side, A, which extends beneath the overlapping side B, a stay, a, of metal or other suitable material, is introduced between the upper and lining at thebutton or hook, and extending forward toward the edge, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. This is best secured in place by maltin g a perforation at the end when the hook or button is applied, and extending the shank ot' the hook or button through the perforation in the stay, as seen in Fig. 2, and so that when the shank is struck down upon the stay it will securely hold it in place. This stay prevents the extended portion of the side A from wrinkling, and permits it readily to assume the shape of the foot without any inconvenience to the wearer.

In the case of lacing, the hooks b are arranged in the usual relative position, and so that the lacing may be drawn alternately through the hooks otl one sideV and the other, and the lacing then secured at the top. a'

It will be understood, in the case of buttonshoes, the buttons are to be applied in the usual manner, and the stays correspondingly arranged so as to prevent any longitudinal wriukling Of the material.

The stays may be secured independent of the hooks orbuttons; but I have found the best practical way of securing them to be by means of the button or hook.

I claim- The herein-described improvement in boots and shoes, consisting 0i' the stays a, arranged transversely between the hooks or buttons and the edge of theunderlying part, substantially as described.

JOS. L. JOYCE.

Witnesses JOHN E. EARLE, Jos. C. EARLE. 

